UN: Vital to keep borders open for people fleeing Libya

[News_Editor]

UN: Vital to keep borders open for people fleeing Libya

2011-02-24 05:08:43 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations refugee agency welcomed on Wednesday the "positive indications" it has received from Tunisia and Egypt that they will keep their borders open for people fleeing violence in neighboring Libya.

"Given the continued reports of violence and human rights abuses inside Libya it is imperative that people fleeing the country are able to reach safety," the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated in a news release.

Some 5,000 people have reportedly arrived at the Tunisian border and some 15,000 at the Egyptian border after fleeing the violence. There has been a steady flow of people at the border since yesterday, UNHCR said, adding that most of the arrivals are Tunisian nationals who have been working in Libya.

The UNHCR will work with Tunisian authorities to set up a temporary camp in the event of a large influx of people.

UN officials and the Security Council have urged an immediate end to the use of force by the Libyan authorities.

Libya has been plunged into chaos as massive anti-government protests continue nationwide, resulting in a violent crackdown by security forces which included aerial bombardments on protesters. More than 250 people have been killed, according to most recent estimates by Human Rights Watch.

The United Nations Human Rights Council will hold a special session on Friday to discuss the situation in Libya. It will be the first time that a member of the Council is the subject of a special session.

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